Tape recording theory
 

"tony sayer" wrote in message
...


I've just sort of inherited some CD's that are of quite old recordings
and I'm impressed that some of them sound .. well they don't have that
modern sound on them .. a sort of -vague- harshness..

I'll trade a slight amount of tape hiss for the lack of that!..


Are you suggesting that an analogue tape generation removes "a sort
of -vague- harshness" that would otherwise necessarily be present? Seems a
pretty daft idea to me.

David.

Tape recording theory
 

"David Looser" wrote in message
...
"tony sayer" wrote in message
...


I've just sort of inherited some CD's that are of quite old recordings
and I'm impressed that some of them sound .. well they don't have that
modern sound on them .. a sort of -vague- harshness..

I'll trade a slight amount of tape hiss for the lack of that!..


Are you suggesting that an analogue tape generation removes "a sort
of -vague- harshness" that would otherwise necessarily be present? Seems a
pretty daft idea to me.

I took this to mean in contrast to the "smiley" EQ which is present on so
many non-classical CDs.


Iain

Tape recording theory
 

"Iain Churches" wrote in message
i.fi...

"David Looser" wrote in message
...
"tony sayer" wrote in message
...


I've just sort of inherited some CD's that are of quite old recordings
and I'm impressed that some of them sound .. well they don't have that
modern sound on them .. a sort of -vague- harshness..

I'll trade a slight amount of tape hiss for the lack of that!..


Are you suggesting that an analogue tape generation removes "a sort
of -vague- harshness" that would otherwise necessarily be present? Seems
a pretty daft idea to me.

I took this to mean in contrast to the "smiley" EQ which is present on so
many non-classical CDs.


Perhaps I don't buy those sorts of CDs, but I'm not aware of this modern
"sort of -vague- harshness". OTOH I am very aware of the distortion present
on many of the classic pop albums of the 60s and 70s, which sounds like the
effect of overdriven analogue tape to me. This distortion is still clearly
audible on the CD re-issues so it's obviously there on the analogue master
tapes. I'm not that bothered by a bit of tape hiss either, it's the
distortion that I dislike.

OTOH I recently inherited a double LP re-issue of the Lew Stone recordings
of 1935. The technical quality varies, but the best are superb. I was amused
to hear his version of "Anything Goes" (which is on the LP) used on the
soundtrack of the 2008 film "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day". It did not in
any way sound like a "period" recording, but it was Lew Stone's 1935
recording - I checked the credits. It seems to me ironic that so many pop
recordings of the analogue tape era are technically inferior to pre-war
direct-to-disc 78rpm ones.

David.

Tape recording theory
 

In article ,
tony sayer wrote:
I'd have thought it pretty easy these days to provide a digital 'filter'
that gave the analogue tape sound. Although I'd guess that's not the
'magic' those who still use such machines are looking for.


I've just sort of inherited some CD's that are of quite old recordings
and I'm impressed that some of them sound .. well they don't have that
modern sound on them .. a sort of -vague- harshness..

Perhaps most of my first CDs were from analogue masters - and I was very
happy just to lose the curse of vinyl. But I've also got some early all
digital ones that sound very good too.

I'll trade a slight amount of tape hiss for the lack of that!..

There're fine otherwise, top 'n bottom end is there alright!.

And very transparent too, not veiled just very -real- for want of a
better word.

I'm still of the opinion that current mastering fashions are the root of
the problem. Not the equipment itself.

--
*To err is human. To forgive is against company policy.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Tape recording theory
 

In article ,
David Looser wrote:
I've just sort of inherited some CD's that are of quite old recordings
and I'm impressed that some of them sound .. well they don't have that
modern sound on them .. a sort of -vague- harshness..

I'll trade a slight amount of tape hiss for the lack of that!..


Are you suggesting that an analogue tape generation removes "a sort of
-vague- harshness" that would otherwise necessarily be present? Seems a
pretty daft idea to me.

Analogue tape certainly reduces transients. One of its biggest problems.
And plenty of pop engineers weren't happy unless they could hear all the
VUs rattling on the end stops when recording.

--
*Horn broken. - Watch for finger.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Tape recording theory
 

"David Looser" wrote in message
...

OTOH I recently inherited a double LP re-issue of the Lew Stone recordings
of 1935. The technical quality varies, but the best are superb. I was
amused to hear his version of "Anything Goes" (which is on the LP) used on
the soundtrack of the 2008 film "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day". It did
not in any way sound like a "period" recording, but it was Lew Stone's
1935 recording - I checked the credits. It seems to me ironic that so many
pop recordings of the analogue tape era are technically inferior to
pre-war direct-to-disc 78rpm ones.

It was a similar observation on the part of mastering engineer Doug Sax that
persuaded him to start Sheffield Records and release direct-to-disk LPs.

Peace,
Paul

Tape recording theory
 

In article ,
Paul Stamler wrote:
"David Looser" wrote in message
...

OTOH I recently inherited a double LP re-issue of the Lew Stone
recordings of 1935. The technical quality varies, but the best are
superb. I was amused to hear his version of "Anything Goes" (which is
on the LP) used on the soundtrack of the 2008 film "Miss Pettigrew
Lives for a Day". It did not in any way sound like a "period"
recording, but it was Lew Stone's 1935 recording - I checked the
credits. It seems to me ironic that so many pop recordings of the
analogue tape era are technically inferior to pre-war direct-to-disc
78rpm ones.

It was a similar observation on the part of mastering engineer Doug Sax
that persuaded him to start Sheffield Records and release
direct-to-disk LPs.

Indeed. And when early digital recording arrived there was no
deterioration in the quality of what had previously been direct to disc
from the smaller companies.

What many seem to gloss over is that a power amp would be laughed at if
it had the same distortion figures as analogue tape. Let alone noise and
transient performance.

Of course those parameters may sound fine when trying to achieve a
particular sound - but isn't some form of magic like many would have you
believe. Especially those who hire out such things. ;-)

--
*When the chips are down, the buffalo is empty*

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Tape recording theory
 

In article , David Looser
scribeth thus
"tony sayer" wrote in message
...


I've just sort of inherited some CD's that are of quite old recordings
and I'm impressed that some of them sound .. well they don't have that
modern sound on them .. a sort of -vague- harshness..

I'll trade a slight amount of tape hiss for the lack of that!..


Are you suggesting that an analogue tape generation removes "a sort
of -vague- harshness" that would otherwise necessarily be present? Seems a
pretty daft idea to me.

David.



Yes .. total illogical bollockx I know but they seem more well, relaxed
... pleasant to listen too .. more transparent!..
--
Tony Sayer

Tape recording theory
 

In article ,
tony sayer wrote:
Are you suggesting that an analogue tape generation removes "a sort of
-vague- harshness" that would otherwise necessarily be present? Seems a
pretty daft idea to me.


Yes .. total illogical bollockx I know but they seem more well, relaxed
.. pleasant to listen too .. more transparent!..

Could be that these days of everything being multi-tracked and an emphasis
on a 'perfect' performance from all in the session - and often things
being recorded at different times - you lose that 'something' that comes
from an essentially 'live' performance.
Too many think everything is in the mixing/recording process and miss out
on other perhaps more important things. Musicians too may not give their
best when they know it can always be done again.

--
*Why is the man who invests all your money called a broker? *

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Tape recording theory
 

In article , Dave Plowman (News)
scribeth thus
In article ,
tony sayer wrote:
Are you suggesting that an analogue tape generation removes "a sort of
-vague- harshness" that would otherwise necessarily be present? Seems a
pretty daft idea to me.


Yes .. total illogical bollockx I know but they seem more well, relaxed
.. pleasant to listen too .. more transparent!..

Could be that these days of everything being multi-tracked and an emphasis
on a 'perfect' performance from all in the session - and often things
being recorded at different times - you lose that 'something' that comes
from an essentially 'live' performance.
Too many think everything is in the mixing/recording process and miss out
on other perhaps more important things. Musicians too may not give their
best when they know it can always be done again.


I think .. you might be quite right on that Dave..


--
Tony Sayer